One of Hollywood's most iconic blonde actresses, Pamela Anderson, announced on Instagram that she is now free of hepatitis C. The Baywatch star underwent a new treatment that cured her of the virus.
On Instagram, Anderson posted a photo of herself naked on board a yacht to announce the news.
"I am CURED!!! - I just found out #nomorehepc #thankyou #blessing #family #prayer #live I pray anyone living with Hep C can qualify or afford treatment. It will be more available soon. I know treatment is hard to get still...#dontlosehope #itworkedforme," Anderson wrote.
Earlier this year, Anderson announced that she would be undergoing a course of drugs as part of a new treatment to cure the blood disease. In August, the actress shared with People Magazine that her doctors prescribed a new FDA-approved drug for hepatitis C treatment.
"I am almost half way through and by November 1, I should be cured - a 98 percent chance," she said. Anderson shared that the disease was a death sentence presented to her 16 years ago and regardless of how confident she looked on the outside, the disease was a dark cloud that hanged above her. Prior to the new drug treatment, Anderson had experimented with other alternative medicine and managed to stay positive despite her condition.
Anderson caught the blood disease in 2001 during her marriage to American rock drummer Tommy Lee, whom she married in 1995. In July 2001, Anderson told CNN's Larry King that she contacted the disease when she shared a tattoo needle with her ex-husband Lee, who denied the accusation.
In the United States, there are approximately 3.2 million people suffering from hepatitis C, a blood disease that affects the liver. If left untreated, hepatitis C can cause liver failure, liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and death. Hepatitis C patients often end up needing transplant, which makes the blood disease one of the top reasons for liver transplants in the U.S.
Hepatitis C can be contacted sexually, particularly among people who have an HIV infection or STD. the disease can also be transmitted if an affected individual shares drugs and needles with other people. Being pricked by infected needles can also transmit the disease. Pregnant women who are affected by hepatitis C can transfer the disease to their child.
